Gas cannon



Jan. 20, 1931. s. GORMLY 1. 4535 GAS CANNON Filed Nov. 6. 1929 2 sheets-sh et 1 Y L M R O G 5 Jan, 20, 1931.

N O N N A G S A G Filed Nov. 6. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR J M 75wn Patented Jan. 2o, 1931 earner oreics SATEFZUEL GOE-IYZILY, 6F GGBAOPOLZS, EZJNHSYEVANIA, ASSIGNOR- T0 FORSTER MANUFAC- TURIN C0l'vI?ANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA GAS CANNON Application filed November ir s invention relates to to cannons, and icularly to cannons employing carbide or other similar material as a gas generating medium.

cannons have been constructed heretor amusement purposes, carbide being 1 loved as a gas generating medium. The cannons, as heretofore constructed, include an i olosion chamber and a well for water, the c... being located in the bottom of the explosion chamber. Gas is generated by inserting carbide into the explosion chamber and depositing it in the well. When the gas has been liberated and mixed with the air in the explosion chamber the gaseous mixture is ignited.

Cannons of this type are not self scavenging, consequently the products of combustion resulting from the ex lesion remain in the explosion chamber. If the products of combustion are not blown out prior to the introduction of new charge of gas, there will not be a sufficient amount of pure air in the explosion chamber to produce a proper cxploive mixture. The result is that the mixture of ai and gas will not either explode at all or it zitdoes explode, the report will be very muflled. V

Cannons of the prior art type referred to above do not lend themselves to rapid firing and are. therefore, objectionable in this respect. These cannons are also objectionable in that the products of combustion resulting from the explosion form deposits in the ex- "on chaml er and further, the carbide es in the well or water basin. Conseque y. after cannons of this character have been ti ed a few times, the deposits from the products of combustion and the carbide so materially reduce the dimensions or the volume the explosion chamber and the water container or basin that the cannons are rendered substantially or practically-inoperative.

An object oft-he invention is to provide for completely and positively scavenging the explosion chamber of a gas cannon adapted to employ carbide or other similar material as the gas liberating medium.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 6 1929. Serial No. 405,183.

vide for positively scavenging and charging the explosion chamber.

A. still further object oi the invention is to positively establish a uniform explosive mixture for a gas cannon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gas cannon of the character set forth above that shall admit of rapid firing.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for automatically admitting measured quantities of carbide or other gas liberating material to the gas generating chamber simultaneousl with the scavenging and charging of the explosion chamber.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved gas cannon of the char acter set forth above.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a toy gas cannon that shall be simple in construction, eflicientin operation, low in cost and that shall admit of firing as rapidly as it is physically possible for the operator to manipulate the cannon.

' Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious to those skilled in the art and will, in part, be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a gas cannon arranged and constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section taken on line 11-11 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of a piston valve or movable partition embodied in the explosion chamber of the gas cannon shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a front view in elevation of the device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in rear elevationof the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4; and

Fig.6 is a View in perspective of a removable water container embodied in the gas generating chamber of the cannon, the water container being mounted on a rod that extends throughthe gas generating chamber and into the explosion chamber for actuating the pistonvalve 0r movable partition shown in Figs. 3,4 and. 5; l

Throughout the drawings and the speci- 'is provided with an vice 5 for car ide or gas liberating material is mounted on the top of the cylinder 2.

In Fig. 2 of-the drawings, a stationary partition 6 isshown that divides the cylinder 1 2 into chambers 7 and 8, the chamber 7 being the explosion chamber and the chamber 8 comprises the gas generator or the gas generating chamber. In order that gas may flow from the gas generator or gas generating chamber 8 into the explosion chamber 7 an aperture 9 is provided in the partition 6 that is controlled by a valve 10 loosely mounted on a pin 11 that extends through the valve and the top of the partition 6. The valve 10 is preferably of the flapper type as shown, although other types of valve suitable for the purpose maybe employed.

In order that gas may be generated in the gas generator or gas generating chamber 8, a removable water container '12 is provided. As shown in Fig. 6 the removable water container 12 is of substantially cylindrical form and open at the top, as indicated at 13. A hollow sleeve 14 extends between side walls 16 and 17 of the container and is rigid- 1y secured thereto. Openings in the side walls 16 and 17 disposed in alinement with the hollow sleeve 14: provide an'unrestricted passageway for a member or piston rod 18. Th purpose of the member or piston rod 18 will be subsequently'set forth in detail.

In order that predetermined or measured quantities of carbide may be transferred from the storage or hopper 5 into the water container 12 a measuring device 21 is provided. The measuring device 21 comprises a slide 22 that is movably disposed in a iousing 23 mounted on the top of the cylinder 2 at the gas chamber endthereof. The housing 23 isprovided with an opening 25 that communicates with the gas chamber 8 innnediately above the open top 13in the water container 12; As shown,'the slide 22 opening or aperture 26 that registers with the opening25' when the slide 22 is in the full line position as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In order to insure that the apertures 25 and 26 will be in register or alinement when the slide 22 is in the full line position indicated in F 2, a'stop27 ismounted on top of the cylinder2."-' v In practice the thickness of the slide 22 I and the diameter of the aperture 26 is such that the aperture will-receive a measured or predetermined quantity of carbide or other gas liberating materialjwhen the slide is moved to the right to the position indicated p broken lines.

Upon movement'of the slide 22 tothe position indicated in broken lines, the aperture 26 is in register with the opening 29 in the bottom of the hopper or storage device 5. In this position carbide enters the aper- 7 Upon movement of'the, slide 22 to the left in the position indicated ture 26 and fills it.

in fulllines, the carbide drops through the aperture 25 into the water of the container 12. Gas is then formed by the reaotlon between the water and the carbide, a well.

known characteristic' In order that the gas generated in the gas generating chamber 8 may be transferred to the explosion chamber'7 a movable partition or piston valve 31 is provided and is mounted on one end of the member or piston rod 18. V The piston rod 18, as shown in Fig. 2 extends from the movable partition or piston valve 31 through the partition 6, the

sleeve 1% and a detachable closure member mounted on the rig it-hand end of the cylinder 2 and terminates in a handle or gripping member33. V

The movable partition or piston valve '31 comprisestwo rings 34 and 35, apacking ring 33 disposed between the rings 34 and] 35' anda circular metal plate 37. The disc is provided with a plurality of apertures 38 arranged to permit the flow of gas therethrough. .when the piston valve the right as viewed from F ig. 2.

The piston valve '31 includes also a valve is moved to.

member 38 loosely mounted on pins 39 that are attached to the circular suitable manner. 7

If the piston valve 31' is moved quickly to plate 37 many the left as viewed from Fig. 2, the valve 37 thereby closing the apertures 38;

Assuming that gas has formed in thegas member 38 moves into contact with the'ring generating chamber .8 by reason of a-predetermined or measured quantity of carbide having been charged or delivered to the water in the container 12. he handle 33 1s gripped by the operator and pulled to the right. The

handle 33 is then pushed forward quickly thereby decreasing the pressure between the partition Sand theside 41 of the movable partition or piston valve 31. Since the pressure is decreased, the valve 10 opens to permit the flow or transfer of gas from the chamber 8 into the explonon cha The step V "ii-3B1 7. in the operation of the no a ing the handle 33 quicklyto thefright wherevice consists in movby the valve member 38"is actuated to the po Y sition shown in Fig.3'of the drawings and the gas is transferred from the side llof the valve 31 throughv the apertures 38in the movabl.

valve. o I The 'as havin been transferred to the ex 7 a a V partition or piston valve to the left side or face3 ofthe movable partition or plston chamber, a bai'iler5 plosion chamber 7, it may be ignited by means of a spark admitted through a touch hole 44 in the top of the cylinder 2 that communicates with the explosion chamber 7. hen the explosion has taken place. the handle is pushed quickly to the left and the or pro; ducts ofcombustion is scar ged or expelled from the explosion chamber l through the muzzle to th atn'iosphere.

in order to facilitate scaveng of the explosion chamber and also to im ve the detonation of the explosions in the explosion provided. 7 The bafile may be integral with muzzle 4 and positione adjacent to the scavenging end of the explosion chamber as shown in 2 of the draw- The battle 45 is provided with an aperture 45 the diameter of which is substantiallv smaller than the diameter of the explosion chamber 7 for best results concerning the scavenging and detonating characteristics of the cannon.

Since the aperture 45 of smaller diameter than the cylinder 2, a restricted passageway is provided between the explosion chamber and the muzzle 4. Therefore, when the gas is scavenged, upon movement of the piston valve 31 towards the forward or scavenging end of the explosion chamber, a relatively high vcloc y is im; arted to the exploded gas thereby positive and complete insurii 2; V scavenging of the gases. The battle also ts as a barrier against the reentrance of the exploded gases that may remain in. the muzzle 4. to the explosion chamber upon. the return or rearward stroke of the piston valve 31.

Since the generated by the reaction between the carbide or other gas liberating material the water in the container 12 is not in itself explosive. provision must be made for creati the proper mixture of air and when the gas has been transferred to the explosion chamber 7. In order to insure that the gas, when it has been transferred to the explosion chamber 7 will be mixed with the proper amount of air to support combustion. a. valve 46 is provided in the bottom of the explosion chamber 7 and adjacent to th partition 6. The valve 46 may be of the disc type and disposed to control the flow of air from the atmosphere through an opening 47 in the bottom of the ovlinder 2;

'When an explosion has taken place in the explosion. chamber 7 the piston valve or movable partition 31 is moved quicl v to the position shown in 2. In res se to movement of the valve or partition to the position shown in Fig. 2 the pressure in the explosion chamber 7 is reduced to a value below atmospheric. Therefore, the valve 36 is raised to thereby permit air to enter the explosion chamber 7. The air mixes with the gas that is drawn into the explosion chamber in response to the forward movement of the'movable partition or piston valve 31. Upon the return of the piston valve to the right hand end of the explosion chamber 7 (that is to the position which the valve would occupy when the handle 33 is in the posit-ion indicated in broken lines) and if a spark isintroduced through the touch hole 44, the gas is exploded.

To secure the desired operation of the toy cannon illustrated in the drawings. and to render it possible to explode gas in the charm her 7 in response to each scavenging and charging operation effected by the movable partition or piston valve 31, a measured quantity of earl ide must be transferred from the storage device 5 or hopper to the water container 12. In order to insure that a. measured quantity of the carbide will be introduced or transferred to the water container 12 automatically with each complete stroke of the handle 33, a post or arm 47 is mounted on the member or piston rod 18 adjacent to the forward end of the handle 33. A link 48 of sub stantially U-shapeis secured to the upper end of the arm or member 47 and is disposed to pull the slide 22 to the position indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings when the handle 33 is actuated to the position indicated in broken lines. The arm or member 47 is so arranged that it pushes the slide to the position indicated in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings in response to the forward stroke of the piston rod or member 18. The reciprocating motion of the slide 22 is effected with each complete stroke of the piston valve 31.

Since the slide 22 of. the measuring device 21 is operated simultaneously with the operation of the piston valve or partition 31, a measured quantity of carbide or gas liberating material is transferred to the water container for each explosive mixture. The explosive mixture comprises the gas liberated from the carbide and the air in the explosion chamber. Since the measuring device 21 and the piston valve 31 are operated simultaneously, the cannon may be fired as rapidly asfit is physically possible to manipulate the handle 43 backwards and forwards to the position indicated in full and broken lines and. at the same time, introduce a spark through the touch hole 44. r

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the muzzle 4 is provided with an annular flange 49 that is disposed to fit over the end of the cylinder 2 and to be secured thereto by a bayonet joint. Thebayonet joint includes a plurality of spaced slots 50 that terminate in an offset 51 that cooperates with dowels or pins 52 secured to the end of the cylinder 2. In order to remove the muzzle 4 from the cylinder 2 it is turned in a direction indicated by the arrow at- 54 until the slots50 are in register with the pins or dowels 52. The muzzle 4 may then'be pulled off the end of the cylinder 2. To replace or reassemble the muzzle 4 onthe cylinder 2, the reverse operation takes place and the muzzle is locked i position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Asth-e muzzle i is removable, the explosion chamber 7 may be cleansed of the products of combustion which result from the explosion of the mixture of carbide gas and air. The closure member 32 is similar in construction to the annular flange a9 and is removable in the same manner. Since the closure member 32 is removable, the ater container be removed from the gas genera-ting. chamber 8 for cleaning purposes.

While various moeifications and changes maybe madein the cannon illustrated and described withoutdeparting from the/spirit and the scopeof the invention,'it is to be understood that only such limitations shall be placed on theinvention as are imposed by the prior art and the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is chamber, a gas generator including a wa er receptacle, means for scavenging and charging the explosion chamber, a storage device for gas liberating material associated with the gas generator, ameasuring device, and means for operating the measuring device in response to the operationof the scavenging and charging means wherebya measured quantity of gas liberating material is deliv-v eredto the Water container. r

3. A gas cannon comprising an explosion chamber, a gas generator including a Water receptacle, means for scavenging the explosionchamber, and means for chargingthe water receptacle with a measured quantity of operation of the scavenging means,

l. A gas cannon comprising explosion gas liberating material in response to the chamber, a piston valve movably disposed Within the chamber, an opening in the bottom of the explosion chamber communicating with the atmosphere and avalve for controlling sa d opening. i

5. A toy cannon comprising an explosion chamber, a gas generator including a water receptacle, a valve for controlling communi' cation between said generator and chamher, a partition movablvdisposed in the ex plosion chamber, a storage-device'for gas liberating material associated with said gas generator, a. measuring device for transfer-.

ring measured quantities of gas liberating material from the storage device to the water container, means for moving the movable partition longitudinally. of the explosion chamber, and means for operating the measuring device in response to movement of the movable partition in the explosion chamber.

6. A toy cannon comprising an explosion chamber, a gas generating chamber, a valve for controlling communication between said chambers,"a water container disposed in the gas generating chamber, a partitlon movably dis osed in the ex losion chamber a mat azine for liberating material associated with said gas generating chamber, a measur ing device for transferring measured quantitres of gasliberatmg material from the magazine to the water container, means for movin the movable partition longitudinally of the explosion chamber and means for opcrating the measuring device in response to movement of the partition movably disposed in the explosion chamber. a

7. A toy cannon comprising an exploslon chamber, a as 'eneratin chamber. a. valve r) 3 b 1 for controlling communication between said chambers, a water container disposed in the generating chamber, a partition movably disposed in the explosion chamber, a stordevice for gas liberatingniaterial asso ciated with said gas generating chamber, a measuring device for transferring measured quantities of gas liberating material from the storage device to the water container, a

rod extending into the explosion chamber and connected to the movable partition for moving the same longitudinally of the exthe measuring device in response to movement of the partition movably disposedinthe explosion chamber. 7 V

8. A toy cannon comprlslng-an explosion chamber, a gas generating chamber, a valve for controllingcommunication between said chambers, a Water container disposed in the "1 gas generating chamber, a partition movablv disposed the explos on chamber, a storage 'plosion chamber and means "for operating device for gas liberating'material associated y with said gas generating chamber, a measuring device fortransferring measured quan tities of gas liberating material area the storage device to, the Water container, a rod extending into the explosion chamber and I connected to the movable partition for moving the'same longitudinally of the explosion chamber, a post mounted on saidrod and extending atan angle therefrom, said postbeing disposed to actuate the measuring'device in one direction and a link extending from said post'disposed to operate the measuring device in another direction inresponse to movement of the partition movably disposed inthe explosion. chamber.

9. A gas cannon comprising a cylinder having an explosion chamber and a gas generating chamber and a valve for controlling admission of air from the atmosphere to the explosion chamber in response to. a decrease in pressure in the explosion chamber below atmospheric.

10. A gas cannon comprising a cylinder having an explosion chamber and a gas generating chamber, means for scavenging the explosion chamber and transferring gas from the gas generating chamber to the explosion chamber.

11. A gas cannon comprising a cylinder, a stationary partition disposed in said cylinder between the ends thereof, a gas generator in the cylinder on one side of said stationary partition, a movable partition on the other side of said stationary partition, and a valve for controlling the transfer of gas from the generator through the stationary partition.

12. A gas cannon comprising a cylinder, a stationary partition disposed in said cylinder between the ends thereof, a gas generator in the cylinder on one side of said stationary partition, a movable partition on the other side of said stationary partition, a valve in the movable partition, and a valve for con trolling the transfer of gas from the generator through the stationary partition.

18. A gas cannon comprising a cylinder, a stationary partition disposed in said cylinder between the ends thereof, a gas generator in the cylinder on one side of said stationary partition, a movable partition on the other side of said stationary partition, and a valve for controlling the admission of air into that part of the cylinder in Which the movable partition is disposed in response to movement of the movable partition away from the stationary partition.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of October,

SAMUEL GORMLY. 

